(UK)

A leading OEM Digital TV component provider based in the UK, has chosen IntraStage to be a provider of their Test Data Collection, Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Analytics software solution.

OEMs have used Contract Manufacturers (CMs) in offshore locations for many years. The driving force behind using such CMs is to reduce overall costs by manufacturing from locations which have lower labor, materials, infrastructure and maintenance costs. While these are obvious advantages in such a partnership, there are now hidden costs which are starting to become important. “We have surveyed many companies that use CMs and a significant problem they are trying to solve is how to monitor the quality of the product before it is shipped to the customer” says Harsh Wanigaratne, VP Sales & Marketing at IntraStage. “Although the CM is generally responsible for this, many OEMs understand they must work together with the CM to ensure that only the best quality product is shipped. The OEM will have the product and domain specific knowledge and the CM will bring their manufacturing expertise to bear”.

The customer will use IntraStage’s ability to directly collect test data from the CM’s facility through an IntraStage software component called TRUC^TM (Test Results Universal Connector).  By automating the process of collecting test data, OEMs will have the real-time capability to view issues and respond quicker to potential problem spots. In addition, the customer will use IntraStage to:

-perform Gage R&R on OEM delivered Test Equipment

-monitor yields/rework that may point to design related problem

-monitor product performance for any shifts due to component supplier changes